Since the cigarette tax increased by 50 cents Aug. 1, some people might see their money go up in smoke.Wesley Thomas contends the change, along with measures across the country to eliminate smoking in public, is discrimination against smokers.“It’s stupid that they’re raising taxes and saying that we can’t smoke where we want to,” the 19-year-old Lansing resident said.
The American Cancer Society needs volunteers for its Relay For Life, a 24-hour team event to raise cancer awareness and research money. The relay is Saturday and Sunday at Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S.
The number of dead birds found with West Nile virus in Michigan has risen exponentially since the first few were discovered in mid-June.Birds with the virus have been confirmed in 24 counties in Michigan this year, including Ingham County.“We’re adding more counties every day,” said Jon Patterson, associate professor of pathology.
Eight different cultural and historical projects in Michigan were awarded a total of $65,792 from the Michigan Humanities Council. The money came from the council’s new grants program, “Creating Vision for the New Century: The Humanities and the Strengthening of Michigan’s Communities.” The program emphasizes educational, cultural and community-based organizations providing humanities projects in Michigan communities. The recipients of the grants include the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Historical Museum, Keweenaw Krayons, Covert Public Schools and Magical Rain Theaterworks. Each project was allotted a different sum to put toward their interest.
While the primary election brought a record number of registered voters to the polls, unofficial numbers show a significant number of those votes were not counted.Earlty estimates show about 6 percent of ballots were thrown out because voters chose candidates from both parties on the same ballot.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St., could rise from the ashes.Architects have been working on two designs for a new church since the original building was burned because of arson to the ground in June.One of the two plans will be unveiled to residents at a public hearing 7:30 p.m.
The East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, now has access to the books of seven area libraries through a service called InMich according to a Friday press release. The service allows library patrons to search other libraries’ catalogs for books unavailable at the East Lansing branch. InMich includes libraries at MSU, Albion College, Grand Rapids Community College, Southfield Public Library, Albion Public Library, Central Michigan University’s library and Ovid-Elsie public schools.
The American Cancer Society is holding a “victory brunch” for local cancer survivors 10:30 a.m.
East Lansing will resurface Saginaw Street from Coolidge Road to Stonegate Lane starting today. The road will be re-paved with asphalt and undergo other construction. Traffic will be down to one lane on either side during the course of the 1.8-mile project. The project is expected to be completed by Sept.
Students and other Domino’s Pizza customers might have to pay more for their pies when their doorbells ring. The Ann Arbor-based pizza chain has been testing a $1 delivery fee at 350 locations and will decide whether to expand the charge to all 4,800 U.S.
Paintings deemed “disturbing” and “satanic” by customers were removed from the walls of the Cappuccino Café, 1500 W.
East Lansing’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services received good news after voters granted it permission to sell the Public Works Building on Tuesday night.But voters might not have realized there is a possibility of a bond issue to raise money for a new building.The city needs $4 million for the new facility and Councilmember Beverly Baten said raising the money could be difficult.“I don’t think citizens realize there’s going to be a bond issue,” Baten said.
Students living on campus lived up to their stereotype as being unconcerned for the political primary.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson and the MSU Board of Trustees left for Thursday for a three-day retreat at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville.
Certain county businesses will have to set up separate break-rooms for smokers or tell them to take their butts outside. Starting next week, lighting up will no longer be permitted in break rooms used by smokers and nonsmokers alike. “We actually enforce businesses’ smoke free policies,” Amy Moore, coordinator for tobacco prevention programs at Ingham County Health Department. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease to people who are exposed in the workplace. “The statewide group did a survey and about 85 percent of workers already work in smoke-free places,” Moore said.
East Lansing city officials slammed Gov. John Engler’s revenue sharing and fire-appropriation vetoes that cut 16 percent of the city’s general-fund budget and fire protection funding - totaling $4.6 million. “We have a ‘rainy-day’ fund, but this action by the governor is a monsoon,” City Manager Ted Staton said at a Monday afternoon meeting of the state’s emergency fund that can make up for 10-15 percent of the difference, but only for one year.
A pipeline company will soon be headed to court or back to the drawing board now that the Lansing City Council has denied the company’s plans to build within city limits. The council voted 7-1 Monday against Wolverine Pipe Line’s request for consent to build about 5 miles of its proposed 26-mile gasoline pipeline in Lansing, and now company executives are weighing their options. The decision leaves Wolverine to either find another route, take the city to court or ignore the council’s decision. Wolverine spokesman Tom Shields has said the company might not need the consent of municipalities because the current plan calls for the pipeline to be laid within the Interstate 96 right-of-way, which is owned by the state. Wolverine officials say company executives want to work within state laws. “I don’t think I necessarily feel as strongly about it as Tom does,” said Paul O’Konski, head of Wolverine’s law department.
The dish is centuries old in Asia, but now sushi is surfacing in East Lansing.“It’s not as popular in Michigan - not yet, but every year the sushi population is increasing,” said Don Kim, manager of Midori Sushi and Korean BBQ, 436 Elmwood Road in Delta Township.
A red garage door marks the entrance to downtown East Lansing’s newest business, but instead of cars and motorcycles rolling in and out, it will be cappuccinos and espressos.
With as much of a two-year waiting period for decisions, candidates for 4th District Court of Appeals judgeships said they are hoping to increase court efficiency.Three candidates - a judge, a senator and a lawyer are vying for the position in the Aug.